It is with sadness that we tell you of the death of Patrick Arthur DeCoste, 81, of Grosvenor and Antigonish Manor. Patrick died with family beside him, on May 14, at St. Martha’s Hospital.

Patrick was born to a large family in Mattie Settlement, he was one of those young men who went off to Ontario in the 1950’s and 60’s while still in his mid-teens. He found work in the road construction industry. Patrick returned home and met his wife Rita from Maryvale. They married and after a year or so in Ontario, returned home to stay. They purchased what had been the Old Grosvenor schoolhouse where they raised their family. Patrick or as some called him, Paddy, went on to work for more than 25 years for Warren Maritimes, and then England Paving. Pat had the recipe for "really good" asphalt in his head. He was able to turn his hand at many things, he made a nice fish chowder, he could build or repair most anything, even switching out an automatic transmission for a standard in one of his cars. We never had a snow day if Dad could get out, often taking the 5 of us and our neighbours to school if need be. Sunday drives could see us anywhere, on any back road or cow path in Antigonish or Guysborough County, often on old car seats on the back of the truck. Dad made sure all of us knew how to count properly, 15-2, 15-4 and a run of three is cribbage, and when to bid and pass in auction. Many evenings were spent after the dishes and lunches were done playing cards. This was something he and Rita continued late into their 70’s. Dad was a caregiver to Mom after his retirement, they looked after each other really, moving to the Manor right before Covid. Dad always visited the sick, if he knew you were in hospital he would make sure he stopped in. On their trips to Ontario to see family he loved to check in with cousins and former co-workers. He and mom always took others to card parties or senior’s groups, he loved to socialize.

Dad was predeceased, by his wife Rita (Gerroir), his parents, Benedict and Irene, his in-laws Anna and Dougall and his sisters Edith, Leona and Maureen and his brother Bernie, also, his brothers-in Law, Vincent, Peter and Michael and his sister-in-law Candy.

Pat and Rita had five children of whom they were very proud. Karen (Ralph), Eugene (Linda), Joseph (Kathy), Glenn (Janice), and Phillip (Janet). They in turn gave Pat and Rita their cherished grandchildren; Kyle, Emily, David (Maddy), and Marybeth Stewart, Travis, Tommy (Ashley), Tory, Kayleigh and Grace, and Rebecca and Sarah DeCoste. They also had 4 sweet great grandchildren; Kaidan, Payton, Allison and Ellie-Mae. Patrick also leaves behind his siblings; Leonard, Elizabeth, John (Maureen), Clarence (Sandy), Billy (Sharon), Debbie (John), and his in-laws Rose Marie, Gary, Robert, Mary, and Mary-Lizzie. He loved his many cousins, nieces and nephews and thought highly of them. He was grateful for his next-door neighbours for nearly 50 years Alice and Miles.

Visitation will be held at C.L. Curry Funeral home on Monday May 20, from 3-7pm, his Funeral will be on Tuesday May 21, at 11am from St. Peter’s Parish in Tracadie, with Rev. John Barry presiding. Reunited with Rita for burial in the parish cemetery. Should you wish to remember Patrick with a donation, kindly choose the Palliative Care Unit of St. Martha’s Regional Hospital. The staff there, and at the ALC unit were so supportive of our Dad.